Engine starter reel and method of making the same



y 1964 H. T. M. RICE 3,134,376

ENGINE STARTER REEL AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed May 8, 1961 INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 0 3,134,376 ENGTNE STARTER REEL AND IVETHQD ()1 MAKING THE SAME Henry T. M. Rice, San Gabriel, Calih, msignor to ()hlsson & Rice, Inc, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation oi California Filed May 8, 1961, Ser. No. 198,643 11 Claims. (Cl. 123-185) The present invention relates to engine starter apparatus of the type in which starting of the engine is initiated by pulling a starting cord wound upon a reel, and more particularly to the starting reel itself.

An object of the invention is to provide a starter reel, which is compact and relatively economical to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to provide a starter reel of strong and sturdy construction, which possesses a long useful life.

A further object of the invention is to provide a starter reel, in which substantially all of its component parts can be made by punch press operations, thereby enabling production of the parts to be obtained with accuracy and in large volume at a rapid rate, and also economically.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a starter reel, in which substantially all parts can be made by punch press operations, the parts, when assembled, mutually supporting each other so that they can be made relatively thin and yet provide a strong and sturdy reel structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rapid and economical method of producing a starter reel.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied and a method of making such foirn. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. The form and method of making the same will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal section through an engine starter embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section, parts being shown in side elevation, of the starter reel;

FIG. 3 is an exploded isometric projection of the starter reel disclosed in FIG. 2.

The invention is illustrated in the drawing in conjunction with an internal combustion engine. As shown, an engine starter embodies a starting cord or cable it) wound upon a suitable reel 11, and also a rewind spring 12 for returning the cable to its initial position on the starter reel. As disclosed in the drawings, an internal combustion engine crankshaft 13 is mounted in a housing or crankcase 14 and extends outwardly therefrom, there being a bearing 15 in the crankcase for rotatably mounting the outer portion of the crankshaft. A flywheel 16 is secured to the outer end of the crankshaft in any suitable manner, as by use of a key 17, the flywheel being held on the crankshaft by a nut 18, or the like, threaded on to the latter.

The flywheel 16 carries a plurality of circumferentially spaced pawls 19, such as a pair of opposed pawls, each of which is pivotally mounted on a pin 26 secured to the flywheel. Offset portions of the pawls, shown in roken lines in FIG. 1, are engaged by the generally radial teeth 21 of a ratchet wheel 22, constituting part of the starter reel, which is suitably fixed to the inner "ice end portion of a sleeve or hub 23 of the starter reel. This sleeve or hub is rotatably mounted on a stationary hub 24 fixed to an end plate 25 of the frame or housing 26 of the apparatus, as by means of a rivet 27. The reel further includes an inner end plate 28 mounted on the inner portion of the sleeve 23, and a stiilener plate 29 mounted on the inner portion of the sleeve adjacent to the ratchet wheel 22 against which the inner end plate bears. it also includes an outer plate 39 spaced from the inner plate 23 and bearing against a flange 31 of the sleeve or hub 23, the outer plate being secured to the sleeve 23 in a manner hereinafter described. A split spacer sleeve 32 is disposed on the rotatable hub 23 between the plates 28, 3b to maintain them a desired axial distance apart.

The starting cord or cable 10 is wound upon the reel between its inner and outer plates 28, 3d, the inner end 33 of the cord being suitably secured to the outer plate 30, as by passing a suitable Wire clip 3-;- around the cord, the legs of which project through a plurality of openings 35 in the outer plate, the end portions of the legs being suitably twisted against one another to firmly secure the end 33 of the starting cord or cable to the outer plate. The cord is wound around the reel with its outer, free end extending outwardly therefrom, in a known manner. Upon pulling on the cord, the reel and its ratchet wheel 22 are rotated in a proper direction upon the stationary hub 24, the ratchet teeth 21 engaging the pawls 19 to rotate the flywheel 16, and thereby turn the crankshaft 13 and initiate starting of the internal combustion engine. When pulling on the starting cord 11), additional energy is stored in the spiral rewind spring 12, the inner end 36 of which is secured to the reel sleeve 23, as by inserting it through a generally radial slot 37 in the latter, the outer end 33 of the spiral spring being secured to the enclosing rim portion 39 of a stationary housing 26, as by passing such outer end through a generally radial slot or hole 41 in such rim.

The specific structure of the pawl and ratchet mechanism 19, 22, and their mode of action, form no part of the present invention, being specifically described and claimed in my copending application for Engine Starter, Serial No. 106,689, filed May 1, 1961. It is sufficient for purposes of the present application to state that the pawls 19 are urged by springs (not shown), or the like, into engagement with the ratchet teeth 21 to couple the flywheel 16 to the ratchet wheel 22 and the starter reel. Upon pulling on the starting cord it), the rotary motion of the starter reel is transmitted through the pawl and ratchet device to the flywheel T6, to rotate the crankshaft 13. When the engine starts, the pawls 19 are disengaged from the ratchet teeth 21 by centrifugal force, allowing the starting cord 19 to be released, the spiral spring 12 rewinding the cord on the starting reel, the engine continuing to run with the pawls 19 maintained free from engagement with the ratchet teeth 21.

When the engine stops, the pawls 19 drop back into engagement with the ratchet teeth 21. If restarting is desired, the starting cord it; is in a position to be pulled in an outward direction, to effect another rotation of the crankshaft 13, by virtue of the turning effort being transferred through the starting reel to the pawls 19 and the flywheel 16.

The starter reel is of strong and sturdy construction, and can be made from a relatively small number of parts, and by punch press operations. Thus, the outer plate 3%, inner end plate 28, stifiener plate 29 and ratchet wheel 22, as well as the spacer sleeve 32, can all be suitably produced on punch presses containing appropriate dies. The spacer sleeve 32 is formed from strip material and is then rolled into the split sleeve cylindrical form illustrated in the drawings. The rotatable sleeve or hub 23 as is formed in any suitable manner, as on a lathe or the like, the slot 37 then being produced therethrough in any suitable manner for reception of the inner end 35 of the rewind spring 12. Initially, theend portion of the rotatable hub 23, remote from its slotted portion, is cylindrical, rather than being outwardly flared, as disclosed in FIG. 2. This enables the outer plate 36, spacer sleeve 32, inner end plate 28, stiffener plate 29 and ratchet wheel 22 to be mounted on the hub or main bushing 23.

' T he periphery 51 of the sleeve 23 adjacent to its flange 31 has longitudinal extending teeth 52 thereon and therearound, which can be produced in any suitable manner, as by a knurling operation, which will produce the raised knurls or teeth on the sleeve or hub. The inner and outer end portion 53 of the ratchet wheel 22 is beveled or flared in an outward direction, and this tapered or beveled portion also has teeth 54 disposed therearound, which may be formed in any suitable manner, as by a knurling opera tion.

In assembling the starter reel, the outer plate 3i spacer sleeve 32, inner end plate 28, stiffener plate 29, and ratchet wheel 22 are slipped over the sleeve or bush ng 23 in a manner referred to above. The outer plate 3% will be prevented, at first, from moving against the sleeve flange 31' by the peripheral knurls or teeth 52. However, upon providing an endwise force on the ratchet wheel 22;, the outer plate 3% is forced over the knurls or teeth 52, which cut mating grooves in the inner surface of the outer plate, and therebykey such plate rigidly to the sleeve or hub 23. The parts are all held in appropriate assembly, and

v the bushing 23 firmly secured to the ratchet wheel 22, by

outwardly flaring the end portion 5% of the bushing, its periphery being embedded in the internal teeth 54- on the ratchet wheel, thereby keying the sleeve or buslnng to the ratchet wheel, and also preventing axial displacement between the several parts mounted on the sl eve 23, holding all of the parts firmly between the flared end portion 54) of the sleeve and its flange 31. One manner of fastening the ratchet wheel 32 to the bushing 23 is by spinning the bushing and, during the spinning operation, exerting an outward pressure on its end portion 5% flaring it out- Wardly and causing the teeth or knurls 54 on the ratchet wheel tobe embedded therewithin. The spinning operation also firmly abuts the several parts on the sleeve 23 against one another, with the outer plate 30 firmly engaging the flange 31 and the outwardly tapering or flared end portion 5% of the sleeve firmly secured to the ratchet wheel 22.

By virtue of the keying of the outer plate 39 and the ratchet wheel 22 to the sleeve or bushing, torque can be transmitted from the outer plate 39 to the sleeve or bushing 23, and from the sleeve or bushing to the ratchet wheel 22. It is unnecessary to secure a firm attachment of the inner end plate 28 to the sleeve, sincethe inner portion 33 of the starting cord or cable It is secured firmly to the outer plate.

The outer plate 39, inner plate 28, stiffener plate 29 and ratchet wheel 22 can be made comparatively thin. The torque imposed upon the outer plate 39, due to pulling on the starting cord 16, is transmitted at the inner portion of the plate adjacent to the flange 31 of the sleeve, which flange provides an appropriate backing for the outer plate 39 and resists its deflection. Similarly, the torque transmitted between the ratchet wheelZZ and the pawls 19 "will not eflect a deflection of the ratchet wheel, since it is supported by the stiffener or back-up plate 29, which, in

turn, engages the inner end plate 28, the inner end plate being supported at its inner. portion by the spacer sleeve 32, which provides a firm brace or support between the inner and outer end plates 28, 3%.

When the flywheel 16 is also to function as the rotor of a blower, suitable air can enter the apparatus, for action by the flywheel, through large ventilating openings 6% in the inner end plate 28.

It is evident, from the foregoing description and drawother, as well as results in keying of the ratchet wheel 22 to the sleeve 23.

I claim:

1. In a starter reel on which a starting cord is adapted to be wound: a sleeve; spaced plates mounted on said sleeve and between which the cord is adapted to be disposed, at least one of said plates being secured to said sleeve; means spacing said plates from each other at said sleeve; and a ratchet wheel mounted on and secured to said sleeve. 7

2. In a starter reel on which a starting cord is adapted to be wound: a sleeve; spaced plates mounted on the periphery of said sleeve and between which the cord is adapted to be disposed, at least one of said plates being secured to said sleeve; means spacing said plates from each other at said sleeve; a ratchet wheel mounted on said sleeve and having a knurled portion; a portion of said sleeve being embedded in said knurled portion to secure said ratchet wheel to said sleeve.

3. In a starter reel on which a starting cord is adapted to be wound: a sleeve having a knurled portion; Spaced plates mounted on the periphery of said sleeve and between which the cord is adapted to be disposed, one of said plates having said knurled portion embedded therein to secure said one plate to said sleeve; means spacing said plates from each other at said sleeve; a ratchet Wheel mounted on said sleeve and having a knurled portion; a portion of said sleeve being embedded in said knurled portion of said ratchet wheel to secure said ratchet wheel to said sleeve.

4. In a starter reel on which a starting cord is adapted to be'wound: a sleeve having a flange; a first plate mounted on the periphery of said sleeve and abutting said flange; a second plate mounted on the periphery of said sleeve in spamd relation to said first plate, the cord being receivable between said plates; means for securing at least one of said plates to said sleeve; means spacing said plates from each other at said sleeve; and a ratchet wheel mounted on and secured to said sleeve.

5. In a starter reel on which a starting cord is adapted to be wound: a rotatable sleeve having a flange; a first to said second plate and secured to said rotatable sleeve.

6. In a starter reel on which a starting cord is adapted to be wound: a rotatable sleeve having a flange; a first plate mounted on and secured to said sleeve in abutting relation to said flange; a second plate mounted on said sleeve; a spacer sleeve on said rotatable sleeve between and engaging said plate, the cord being receivable between said plates and around said spacer sleeve; and a ratchet wheel mounted on said rotatable sleeve adjacent to said second plate and secured to said rotatable sleeve; said rotatable sleeve having an outwardly directed portion engaging said ratchet wheel to hold said wheel, plates and spacer sleeve in assembled relation with said first plate against said flange.

7. In a starter reel on which a starting cord is adapted to be wound: a rotatable sleeve having a flange and a knurled portion adjacent to said flange; a first plate mounted on said sleeve in abutting relation to said flange and with said knurled portion embedded in said first plate to secure said first plate to said sleeve; a second plate mounted on said sleeve; a spacer sleeve on said rotatable sleeve between and engaging said plates, the cord being receivable between said plates and around said spacer sleeve; a ratchet wheel mounted on said rotatable sleeve adjacent to said second plate and having a knurled portion; a portion of said rotatable sleeve being embedded in said knurled portion of said ratchet wheel to secure said ratchet wheel to said rotatable sleeve.

8. In a starter reel on which a starting cord is adapted to be wound: a. rotatable sleeve having a flange and a knurled portion adjacent to said flange; a first plate mounted on said sleeve in abutting relation to said flange and with said knurled portion embedded in said first plate to secure said first plate to said sleeve; a second plate mounted on said sleeve; a spacer sleeve on said rotatable sleeve between and engaging said plates, the cord being receivable between said plates and around said spacer sleeve; a ratchet wheel mounted on said rotatable sleeve adjacent to said second plate and having an outwardly flaring knurled portion; said rotatable sleeve having an outwardly directed portion embedded in said knurled portion of said wheel to hold said wheel, plates and spacer sleeve in assembled relation with said first plate against said flange,

9. In a starter reel on which a starting cord is adapted to be Wound: a rotatable sleeve having a flange and a knurled portion adjacent to said flange; a first plate mounted on said sleeve in abutting relation to said flange and with said knurled portion embedded in said first plate to secure said first plate to said sleeve; a second plate mounted on said sleeve; a spacer sleeve on said rotatable sleeve between and engaging said plates, the cord being receivable between said plates and around said spacer sleeve; a stiflener plate on said rotatable sleeve engaging said second plate; a ratchet wheel mounted on said rotatable sleeve adjacent to said stifiener plate and having an outwardly flaring knurled portion; said rotatable sleeve having an outwardly directed portion embedded in said knurled portion of said wheel to hold said wheel, plates and spacer sleeve in assembled relation with said first plate against said flange.

10. The method oi producing a starter reel on which a starting cord is adapted to be wound, comprising providing a rotatable sleeve having a flange, knurling said sleeve adjacent to said flange, mounting first and second plates and an intervening spacer sleeve on said rotatable sleeve, providing a ratchet wheel with a knurled tapered portion, placing said Wheel on said rotatable sleeve adjacent to said second plate, forcing said first plate on the knurled portion of said rotatable sleeve and against said flange; and spinning said rotatable sleeve, plates, spacer sleeve and wheel while forcing an end portion of said rotatable sleeve outwardly to embed said end portion in said knurled tapered portion of said ratchet wheel.

11. The method of producing a starter reel on which a starting cord is adapted to be wound, comprising providing a rotatable sleeve having a flange, knurling said sleeve adjacent to said flange, mounting first and second plates and an intervening spacer sleeve on said rotatable sleeve, mounting a stiffener plate on said rotatable sleeve against the exterior of said second plate, providing a ratchet wheel with a knurled tapered portion, placing said wheel on said rotatable sleeve against said stiffener plate, forcing said first plate on the knurled portion of said rotatable sleeve and against said flange, spinning said rotatable sleeve, plates, spacer sleeve and wheel While forcing an end portion of said rotatable sleeve outwardly to embed said knurled tapered portion of said ratchet wheel in said end portion to secure said ratchet wheel to said rotatable sleeve and to hold said first plate finnly against said flange.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,278,547 Herrington Apr. 7, 1942 2,730,092 Reif Jan. 10, 1956 2,869,531 Cedermark Jan. 20, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 690,129 Great Britain Apr. 15, 1953 

1. IN A STARTER REEL ON WHICH A STARTING CORD IS ADAPTED TO BE WOUND: A SLEEVE; SPACED PLATES MOUNTED ON SAID SLEEVE AND BETWEEN WHICH THE CORD IS ADAPTED TO BE DISPOSED, AT LEAST ONE OF SAID PLATES BEING SECURED TO SAID SLEEVE; MEANS SPACING SAID PLATES FROM EACH OTHER AT SAID SLEEVE; AND A RATCHET WHEEL MOUNTED ON AND SECURED TO SAID SLEEVE. 